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Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims described the slaying as a calculated, brutal attack.

Evidence showed Back was choked, stabbed, shot and eventually dumped in Preble County, deputies said.

"He was the sweetest boy,” said Back's neighbor, Roberta Bailey. “(His family) doesn’t deserve this at all. If there's anything they need at all…we would sure come."

Mosley and Myers appeared before a judge in a video arraignment Thursday morning and have a preliminary court hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Court officials said if a grand jury hands down an indictment before Feb. 4, the case will be moved to another court.

Prosecutors said there is an issue with third parties trying to make contact with the victim’s family on behalf of the defendants. Both Mosley and Myers were to be appointed public defenders.

Deputies said Mosley and Myers visited the home where Back lived with his family Monday as part of a burglary plot.

"Both Myers and Mosley were at the home to case the place," Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims said Wednesday. "The intent was to burglarize the home and cause the death of Justin."

Following along with their apparent plan, the men returned to the home in the 5300 block of Corwin Road last Tuesday. They ransacked the house and left evidence of an attack, Sims said.

"(There are) indications of blood in the home," Sims said.

With burglary being the motive, the suspects stole a safe and at least one gun, according to investigators.

The victim played high school football, helped construct sets for school plays, had perfect attendance, and was just one week away from shipping off to the Navy.

“For all indications, this was a good young man that was headed to the military,” Sims said. “This was a very brutal murder.”

Both suspects were located near Dayton and arrested in connection with the crime. Investigators said Back knew his alleged killers and that he trusted them. Myers and Back both went to Wayne High School, which was the connection that brought them back to Back's residence, Sims said.

Wayne Local School District officials said students and staff are grieving his loss. Back, who graduated from Waynesville High School in 2013, is remembered as "an upstanding young man who was preparing to serve his country in February."

"He was one of those types of students that was involved in a lot of activities and was well liked by many, many people," said Waynesville High School Principal Randy Gebhardt.

Back had perfect attendance, built sets for the drama department and played football for three years.

“We were very sad to hear the news about Justin,” said Warren County Career Center Superintendent Maggie Hess. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends. He was a good student when he was here and was going to serve our country in the military beginning next month.”

A memorial for Back is scheduled to take place Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Waynesville High School gymnasium. The memorial is open to all family, friends and community members.

Donations will be collected at the Waynesville National Bank and Trust to help cover the cost of Back's funeral services.